JakeS:

Our correspondent tells me that they are flattered that you think they're an economist

Shouldn't they rather be offended?

Keynesianism is intellectually hard, as evidenced by the inability of many trained economists to get it - Paul Krugman

If you restructure the post as a draft negotiating strategy for Ireland highlighting strengths and weaknesses - possible alliances and points made by others we can build on - it would make a valuable contribution to the debate as basically Fianna Fail are saying the overall deal is non-negotiable and are accusing the opposition of living in fantasyland if they think we can change the terms..

Our Euro experts here could also describe the process - do we work through Council or Parliament, and what role does Patrick Honahan - our central bank Governor play?

The point we need to address is this:  Most ordinary people think that a contract, once signed, is binding - and are not aware of the degree to which it is utterly routine in the world of high finance for debts to be restructured.

Index of Frank's Diaries

Do you have the time to do this and will you do this under your own name or do you prefer to have it signed by ET editors using their nics and/or real names? I would be willing to sign and use my real name or nic, but could provide both if necessary.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."